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Post-9/11 GI Bill - Study Abroad
Ways to study abroad with the Post-9/11 GI Bill
Foreign University Direct Enrollment
The student enrolls directly into a foreign university approved for GI Bill funding.
Foreign Campus U.S. based School Enrollment
The student enrolls in a U.S. based school but attends a branch or extension campus in a foreign location.
Study Abroad Options Program
The student maintains enrollment/matriculated in a U.S. based school degree program and attends majority of their classes in a foreign country or at a foreign university. The student’s credits must transfer back to the U.S. based home institution. VA recognizes two study abroad program pathways:
• Guest Student Enrollment – The student maintains matriculated in a U.S. based school degree program and attends majority of their classes at a foreign university approved for GI Bill funding as a guest student. The student’s credits will transfer back to the home institution.
• Instructor Led Enrollment - The student enrolls in a course at the U.S. based institution that may meet domestically, internationally or both. These types of arrangements usually come in the form of cultural immersion led by an instructor of the home institution (a student typically spends time at the domestic campus and then travels to a foreign country to continue their studies with an instructor and classmates).
What the Post-9/11 GI Bill can't pay for
• Third-party Fees: VA cannot pay for any fees directly related to a study abroad program or third-party provider.
• Exchange Student Programs: These types of arrangements usually come in the form of direct exchanges (a student from the foreign university comes to the domestic campus and the domestic student studies at the foreign university) or direct reimbursements (the home institution directly reimburses the foreign university for the students’ participation). No money exchanges hands – just the students.
• Room and board, Airfare: These fees must be excluded from certification to VA.
• Other Amenities: Any extra fees charged by the U.S. based university will also not be covered, i.e., amenity fees, vaccination fees, and trip merchandise fees.
What the Post-9/11 GI Bill may cover
| Study Abroad Option | Tuition and Fees | Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) | Books and Supplies | Certifying Facility |
| Foreign University Direct Enrollment | Up to National Maximum cap per academic year | National Average | Up to yearly stipend of $1,000 | The Foreign University |
| Foreign Campus U.S. based School Enrollment | Public School: All Tuition and Fee Payments for an In-State Student at Main Campus Or Private School: Up to National Maximum Cap per academic year | National Average | Up to yearly stipend of $1,000 | The U.S. Based School using the Branch or Extension Campus located internationally. |
| Guest Student Enrollment | Up to National Maximum Cap per academic year | National Average | Up to yearly stipend of $1,000 | The Foreign University |
| Instructor Led Enrollment | Public School: All Tuition and Fee Payments for an In-State Student at Main Campus Or Private or Foreign School: Up to National Maximum Cap per academic year | MHA per current main or branch campus zip code. | Up to yearly stipend of $1,000 | The U.S. based Institution using main or branch campus domestic location |
** Yellow Ribbon is payable at a participating foreign school for approved study abroad programs starting on or after August 1, 2021. It remains payable at participating domestic schools for all approved programs.
Important Points for Study Abroad Programs
• The student must be enrolled in courses that will apply to their degree program.
• The courses must be at an institution of higher learning leading to a standard college degree or the equivalent.
• The program of education and courses at the foreign institution must be approved by VA for GI Bill funding.
• Any amounts payable or maximum amounts may be prorated based on the student’s eligibility percentage if the student is not eligible for the full benefit under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
• Students must be enrolled more than half-time to receive MHA.
